Iran Reviews US Proposal Amid Reports of Potential Agreement
Iran has stated that a US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict is "still being considered," following reports suggesting that the two nations may be nearing an agreement.
On Wednesday, US news outlet Axios reported that the White House believes it could be close to finalizing a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran.
A senior member of Iran's parliament dismissed the proposal as a "wish list," while a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry indicated that Tehran would communicate its perspective on the US proposal through Pakistani mediators.
Pakistan's foreign minister expressed that his country is "endeavouring to convert this ceasefire into a permanent end to this war." Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated that the US has engaged in "very good talks with Iran in the last 24 hours" and that a deal is possible.
Details of the Memorandum and Official Reactions
Axios described the memorandum as a one-page document containing 14 points that could establish a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.
The provisions reportedly include a suspension of Iranian nuclear enrichment, the lifting of sanctions, and the restoration of free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The report cited two US officials and two other unnamed sources briefed on the matter, noting that many terms in the memo would depend on a final agreement being reached.
news agency confirmed that two sources familiar with the US-Iran mediation corroborated the information initially reported by Axios, although the proposal has not been publicly disclosed.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA):
"The American proposal is still being reviewed by Iran and after concluding, it will inform the Pakistani side of its opinion."
In response to the Axios report, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's national security and foreign policy commission, wrote on X:
"The Americans will not gain anything in a war they are losing that they have not gained in face-to-face negotiations."
He further stated that Iran "has its finger on the trigger and is ready" and warned that if the US did not "surrender and grant the necessary concessions," Iran would "deliver a harsh and regret-inducing response."
Statements from US Leadership and Military Actions
President Trump has also threatened renewed violence, posting on his Truth Social platform that if Iran did not agree to a deal, "the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."
He added that Operation Epic Fury—the initial US-Israeli offensive in Iran—would conclude "assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to." This followed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statement that the operation was over after achieving its objectives.
Trump reiterated, without confirmation from Tehran, that Iran has agreed never to develop a nuclear weapon "among other things." Iran's nuclear program remains a central point of contention between the two countries.
He remarked:
"They [Iran] want to make a deal. We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours and it's very possible that we'll make a deal up there."
"I think we won."
On Tuesday, Trump announced a pause in Project Freedom, just days after its initiation. The operation aimed to restore oil flow and facilitate the global economy's return to normalcy by guiding stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has not publicly responded to the pause, but the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) hinted at reopening the strait if there is an "end of the aggressors' threats."
Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz and Ongoing Blockades
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes. Since late February, Iran has effectively blockaded the strait following US and Israeli attacks.
In early April, the US and Iran announced a ceasefire under which Iran ceased drone and missile strikes on Gulf countries, including the UAE. However, few vessels have been able to transit the strait since then.
The US has also imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, claiming to have stopped dozens of ships. On Wednesday, US Central Command reported shooting at and disabling an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that attempted to breach the blockade.
Israeli Coordination and Military Actions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that there is "full coordination" between himself and President Trump regarding Iran.
"There are no surprises. We share common goals, and the most important objective is the removal of all enriched material from Iran and the dismantling of Iran's enrichment capabilities," he said.
Netanyahu's remarks followed Israel's first strike on Beirut since the ceasefire agreement in April.
He wrote on social media that Israeli forces targeted a senior Hezbollah commander "responsible for firing at Israeli settlements and harming IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers."
Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia and political party, began attacks on Israel in early March in response to Israeli strikes on Iran.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel and Hezbollah have continued hostilities, accusing each other of violations.
Most Israeli air strikes have targeted southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has launched attacks on Israeli troops in Lebanon and northern Israel using rockets and drones.
